A year shaped by generosity
For TLR, 2025 was shaped by young Aussies who learned about stem cell donation, picked up a cheek swab kit and said yes to helping someone facing blood cancer. They were not looking for praise. They just cared enough to get involved.
Stem cell donation starts with one simple choice. Someone decides they can help a person they may never meet. This year we saw that choice again and again, and as a result more people understood what donation can do.
Three legends who just signed up to the stem cell donor registry
A stronger online home that changed everything
Updating our online home was one of the biggest shifts this year. TLR was incredibly lucky to receive a grant from the QBE Foundation. Their support helped us build a clear and welcoming website. People could learn about stem cell donation, watch donor stories and join the registry in minutes. They could also read about our nursing scholarships and how these support the care of people facing blood cancer.
The impact was clear. People understood the process and saw young Aussies who had donated. They also saw why diversity on the registry matters and how TLR supports nurses. The site helped turn interest into action, and because of this more people joined. It reached people who had never heard about stem cell donation or our scholarships before.
None of this would have happened without the QBE Foundation.
Donor stories that shaped the movement
Abbey donating stem cells for her mum.
Mark spoke about donating to a stranger and what it meant to know his stem cells were needed. Abbey talked about donating to her mum and the strength behind that moment. Josh was honest about the process and talked about the side effects he felt.
Seeing our scholarship recipient Kirstie join the registry showed that nurses don’t just care for people facing blood cancer, they step up in many ways to help save lives.
These stories were real and direct. As always, they helped people understand the process and see that stem cell donation is something they can do.
TLR’s first 100 online donors
Another milestone this year was reaching the first one hundred online signups through the TLR partner page. One hundred may seem small, but for a charity our size it means a lot. People paid attention. The message landed. And we are just getting started.
Students, young professionals, nurses and hospital staff all signed up. Many hadn’t heard of stem cell donation before, but once they understood it they joined. Someone like them had already said yes, which helped make the decision easier. In the end, each new donor created more hope for the next person searching for a match.
Why diversity mattered more than ever
One message stood out this year. Australia needs a donor registry that reflects its communities. You can only donate to someone from the same ethnic background, so it is important to have diverse donors sign up.
When donors from different backgrounds share their stories, people can see themselves in the process, and in turn families feel hope. It helps patients see that someone from their own community may be ready to help.
When Aadil said “donating stem cells is actually quite relaxing” we smiled.
Aadil made this real. His story reached Sri Lankan and South Asian communities where many people had never heard of stem cell donation. Seeing him donate showed how much Australia needs people from diverse backgrounds. Each new donor strengthens the registry and gives the next person searching for a match a better chance.
Stories that turned interest into action
Every time someone talked about their experience, more people joined the registry. It felt personal, and that’s why people responded. Young Aussies want to help. They just need to understand the process and why it matters.
Many people joined because someone like them had already said yes. Each new donor creates a chance that someone facing blood cancer wouldn’t have otherwise had.
Looking ahead to 2026
The momentum is here, and next year we’ll keep building on it. There will be more stories, more education and more conversations in places where donating stem cells is not usually talked about. TLR will keep reaching young Aussies, especially those from communities that aren’t well represented on the registry.
We are so proud of the progress made this year, and incredibly grateful to everyone who stepped up. And we are beyond grateful to the QBE Foundation. Their support helped TLR grow, improve our website and reach people who had never heard about stem cell donation before.
There’s a lot of work ahead, but there’s also a lot of hope. When people understand about the need for stem cell donors, they step up.
Be a legend, save a life
If you’re aged 18 to 35, you can join the Australian stem cell donor registry with a few simple cheek swabs. It takes only a couple of minutes to sign up and a swab kit will be mailed to your door.
Just remember to post back the kit, because someone out there may be waiting for you.
You can sign up through the TLR partner page.